One position the Green Bay Packers don’t need any help at is running back. In addition to two promising players coming off their rookie seasons in Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, the Packers will keep converted receiver Ty Montgomery at the position.
Coach Mike McCarthy said as much on Wednesday.
“Probably the most important statistic for me in evaluating players as far as you move forward to the next season is availability,” McCarty said. “…None of our running backs this year were available for the whole season, so that’s the first hurdle. That’s the first challenge that they need to meet.
“In Ty’s particular case, his availability the last three years has been his challenge. But he’s a multi-positional player. So he’s a running back, to answer your question. But he gives us great flexibility to use him so many different ways. So that won’t change. We’re going to need all those guys next year. That’s going to be our approach.”
The Packers also have another 2017 draft pick, Devante Mays, at the position. That’s a four-man logjam when everyone is healthy. The situation led some to believe the Packers would move Montgomery back to receiver.
Of course, McCarthy is right. Montgomery can’t seem to stay on the field. He’s missed 19 games in just three seasons due to injury.
His 2017 status as the team’s lead running back is also probably in jeopardy to Williams and Jones. After averaging a stellar 5.9 yards per rush in 2016, Montgomery slipped to 3.8 yards per carry in 2017.